Topics

First, he has to decide if he's willing to pay the price -- and anybody who has made a trip to New York knows you have to be a big spender to truly enjoy a trip to Manhattan.

With the NHL entry draft set for Sunday at the Prudential Center in New Jersey, the Senators GM spent part of Thursday working the phones to see if he can move up from No. 17 and find that elusive Top 6 forward the club needs.

Murray could get a little help if captain Daniel Alfredsson confirms Friday he'll be back to play next season. The Senators are confident he'll play, but are waiting for the final answer before the draft.

Since the prices are expected to be high when the thin free agent market opens July 5, the Senators might be better served acquiring a Top 6 winger through a trade. That's why Murray has been busy seeing what's out there.

Three league executives said Thursday the No. 1 target for many teams is Anaheim Ducks winger Bobby Ryan. Signed for $5.1 million through 2014-15, Ryan, 26, fits the bill for what Murray wants to add to his team.

Instead of bringing in an aging veteran just to provide leadership, Murray wants a player that will grow with the young core. Ryan's best years are ahead of him and this isn't the first time the Senators have coveted the young scorer.

The issue is simple: The Senators aren't alone in their pursuit, but they may be one of the few teams with the assets to make a deal happen. The talk is the Ducks would like to get a defencemen in return if they are going to move Ryan.

"He's the guy everybody wants," said a league executive Thursday.

Sources say the Ducks' asking price is high. They'll want a No. 1 pick, a defenceman or a top-end prospect in return for Ryan. The Philadelphia Flyers and San Jose Sharks are among those teams that have also had talks with Anaheim.

The Senators certainly have the prospects. Murray, assistant GM Tim Murray, director of player personnel Pierre Dorion, director of player development Randy Lee and the scouting staff have done a good job re-stocking the shelves.

Last year, the Senators were in on the Rick Nash sweepstakes with the Columbus Blue Jackets right up until it ended by offering up a package that included centre Mika Zibanejad and goalie Robin Lehner.

It died when Nash refused to waive his "no move" clause to come to Ottawa and chose a deal to the New York Rangers instead. The talk is the Ducks want defenceman Braydon Coburn and a No. 1 pick from Philly in exchange for Ryan.

There will be players other than Ryan that become available, but he's the most attractive option. The Oilers have made it clear they're willing to deal winger Ales Hemsky and the Senators have shown interest there in the past.

He might not be the right fit.

If the Senators aren't able to make a deal, then the possibility of going the free agent route exists. The club has to set aside between $4.5-to-$5 million to Alfredsson, 40, for a contract next season.

"He's better than any free agent we could sign," said Murray during a discussion with Ottawa media this week.

Still, there are options on the free agent market.

The Senators could take a run at Chicago Blackhawks winger Bryan Bickell. He was one of the club's top performers the playoffs, but there's a genuine belief that the former 67 wants to stay in the Windy City and might take less to be there.

If he does decide to test the market, a league executive noted "somebody is going to overpay him," and the Senators won't do that. Another possibility is Pittsburgh's Pascal Dupuis, who has had tremendous success with Sidney Crosby.

The draft festivities are the official kick-off to next season. If Murray doesn't come away with a Top 6 forward through trade this weekend, he'll certainly put the groundwork in place to try to get somebody.

Ottawa Sens GM Bryan Murray hunting for a deal

First, he has to decide if he's willing to pay the price -- and anybody who has made a trip to New York knows you have to be a big spender to truly enjoy a trip to Manhattan.

With the NHL entry draft set for Sunday at the Prudential Center in New Jersey, the Senators GM spent part of Thursday working the phones to see if he can move up from No. 17 and find that elusive Top 6 forward the club needs.